Image forming apparatus having a folder accessible from an external apparatus, control method of image forming apparatus, and storage medium

ABSTRACT

An image forming apparatus capable of communicating with an external apparatus includes a storage unit having a folder, a setting unit configured to set a printing condition corresponding to the folder, and a printing unit configured to print a printing target file transmitted from the external apparatus and stored in the folder based on the printing condition set by the setting unit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/064,308, filed on Mar. 8, 2016, which claims priority fromJapanese Patent Application No. 2015-046433 filed Mar. 9, 2015, which ishereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus thatexecutes print processing of a printing target file transmitted from aclient apparatus via a network.

Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, a method using a hot folder has been known as a methodfor causing an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or aprinter to execute print processing (see, Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-Open No. 2012-118736). In the method, a hot folder application isinstalled on a client apparatus. When a file is stored in a hot folder,print data is transferred to a printer to execute print processing.

By using the hot folder application installed on the client apparatus,an operator can instruct the image forming apparatus to execute printprocessing of a printing target file through a relatively simpleoperation of storing the file. Therefore, for example, in a case wherethe operator would like to print a large volume of print data (file) ina same setting, it is possible to eliminate a troublesome operationwhich requires a user to give printing instructions for respective filesthrough a printer driver application. Accordingly, it is possible toimprove efficiency in a routine printing operation.

In the method using the hot folder described in the conventionaltechnique, a highly-functional application such as the hot folderapplication has to be provided on the client apparatus. This is becausethe client apparatus needs a program that enables the client apparatusto make a print setting on a printing target file, convert the printingtarget file into a unique data format readable by the copying machine orthe printer as necessary, and transmit the converted printing targetfile to the copying machine or the printer. Inevitably, theabove-described program is specific to an operating system on which theprogram runs or an application platform provided on that operatingsystem.

In addition, the printing system using the hot folder applicationprovided on the client apparatus is in nature dependent on the operatingsystem of the client apparatus. Further, there may be a case where theuser has to be provided with the updated hot folder application when theversion of the operating system is updated.

Furthermore, in recent years, there has been an increased demand in themobile terminals known as tablets and smartphones to serve as the clientapparatuses. With respect to these mobile terminals, an operationenvironment of the program is provided by each of the operating systemsunique thereto. There has also been an increased demand in these mobileterminals for a function to instruct the copying machine or the printerto execute print processing. However, in order to provide theabove-described mobile terminals with the program that enables themobile terminals to issue printing instructions, a large amount ofdevelopment cost will be necessary for a vender who develops the copyingmachine or the printer.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a method that enables a clientapparatus to easily instruct an image forming apparatus such as acopying machine or a printer to execute print processing without using ahighly-functional application. Further, the present invention isdirected to a print processing method less dependent on the operatingsystem or the execution environment of the application, which enablesthe client apparatus to instruct print processing without using thehighly-functional application.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an image formingapparatus capable of communicating with an external apparatus includes astorage unit having a folder, a setting unit configured to set aprinting condition corresponding to the folder, and a printing unitconfigured to print a printing target file transmitted from the externalapparatus and stored in the folder, based on the printing condition setby the setting unit.

According to the present invention, the print processing method can beconfigured to be less dependent on the operating system of the externalapparatus. Therefore, it is possible to easily provide the variousclient apparatuses with a printing environment.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a print processing system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of amultifunction peripheral.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of aclient apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of the clientapparatus.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation unit.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of themultifunction peripheral.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a function selectionscreen of the multifunction peripheral displayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screendisplayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for creating ahot folder.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for selecting aprinting condition.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen that is to bedisplayed after the hot folder has been created.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of information within thehot folder that is to be displayed through a file browser of the clientapparatus.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printing specificationfile in which a printing condition corresponding to the hot folder isdescribed.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state where a printing target fileis copied to the hot folder from the client apparatus.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation unit afterthe operation illustrated in FIG. 14 has been executed by the clientapparatus.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hierarchy of a filesystem.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a printing operation executed by themultifunction peripheral.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to the appended drawings. Further,the embodiments described hereinafter are not intended to limit thecontent of the invention as described in the appended claims, and notall of the combinations of features described in the exemplaryembodiments are required as the solutions of the present invention.

First, a first exemplary embodiment will be described.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a print processing systemaccording to the present exemplary embodiment. In the present exemplaryembodiment, a multifunction peripheral (MFP) 200 will be described as anexample of an image forming apparatus. Personal computers (PCs) 101,102, and a mobile terminal 103 will be described as examples of a clientapparatus and an external apparatus. The MFP 200 and the PC 101 arecommunicably connected to each other via a network 100.

Further, similar to the PC 101, the PC 102 serving as another clientapparatus is communicably connected to the MFP 200 via the network 100.The PCs 101 and 102 may be operated on different operating systems.Alternatively, the PCs 101 and 102 may be operated on the identicaloperating systems of different versions. In the present exemplaryembodiment, it is assumed that various application executionenvironments with respect to the client apparatuses are mixed in anenvironment of the printing system.

Further, a wireless local area network (LAN) access point 104 isconnected to the network 100. The wireless LAN access point 104 enablesthe mobile terminal 103 illustrated in FIG. 1 and other devices ofvarious types that are not illustrated in FIG. 1 to communicate witheach other through the wireless LAN. In other words, according to thepresent exemplary embodiment, a printing environment equivalent to thatof the client apparatus such as the PC 101 or 102 can be provided byother device types such as the mobile terminal 103.

The above-described type mobile terminals have spread rapidly anddiversified remarkably. Further, along with the spread of suchhighly-portable terminals, for example, there may be a case where theclient apparatus of a user who wishes the MFP 200 placed on the network100 in FIG. 1 to execute printing is a device brought from a publicenvironment.

A conversion server 106 placed on the outside of the LAN such as a cloudenvironment is also communicably connected to the network 100 via theinternet 105. The conversion server 106 has a function of converting aprinting target file of a file format that is not directly printable bythe MFP 200, into a file format directly printable thereby. Based on arequest from the MFP 200, the conversion server 106 converts a file intoa format printable by the MFP 200 and transmits the converted file tothe MFP 200.

In FIG. 1, the conversion server 106 is arranged on the outside of thenetwork 100 via the network 105 as an example. However, naturally, theconversion server 106 may be directly connected to the network 100.

First, the PCs 101, 102, and the mobile terminal 103 serving as theclient apparatuses will be described. It is assumed that the PCs 101,102, or the mobile terminal 103 includes a network file sharing unitusing a file sharing protocol such as the Server Message Block (SMB) orthe Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning (WebDAV), which hasbeen normally included in the recent operating system. Protocols such asthe SMB and the WebDAV are examples of the file sharing protocols.

By using the file sharing protocol such as the SMB or the WebDAV, thePCs 101, 102, and the mobile terminal 103 connected to the network 100can mutually transmit, receive, or share the file. Accordingly, the PCs101, 102, and the mobile terminal 103 can transmit the printing targetfile to the MFP 200 by using the network file sharing protocol. Withthis configuration, the operator can make the MFP 200 execute printprocessing without providing the client apparatus with an applicationthat is highly dependent on the operating system.

However, the PCs 101, 102, and the mobile terminal 103 may include theabove-described printing application program.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of theMFP 200. The MFP 200 includes a reading function of reading an image ona sheet and a printing function of printing an image on a sheet.Further, the MFP 200 includes a post-processing function of binding aplurality of sheets on which images are printed, sorting a plurality ofsheets, and dividing discharge destinations of a plurality of sheetsinto a plurality of trays. In addition, the sheets include various papersuch as normal paper, heavy paper, and an overhead projector (OHP)sheet.

Further, the MFP 200 includes a file sharing function accessible fromthe client apparatuses such as the PCs 101, 102, and the mobile terminal103. The file sharing function will be described below.

A printer unit 203 conveys a medium stored in a sheet feeding unit 220and forms an image of rasterized image data on the medium by usingtoner. A general configuration and an operation principle of the printerunit 203 will be described below.

For example, a light beam such as a laser beam that is modulatedaccording to the image data is incident on a rotating polygon mirror(i.e., polygon mirror) and radiated to a photosensitive drum via areflection mirror as reflected scanning light. A latent image formed onthe photosensitive drum through the laser beam is developed with toner,and a toner image is transferred onto a sheet (i.e., medium) adhering toa transfer drum. A series of the image forming processing describedabove is sequentially executed with color toners of yellow (Y), magenta(M), cyan (C), and black (K), so that a full-color image is formedthereon. In addition to the toner images of these four colors, a tonerimage developed with additional toner such as “spot color” or“transparent toner” may be also transferable thereon.

The sheet on the transfer drum on which the full-color image is formedis conveyed to a fixing unit. The fixing unit is composed of acombination of a roller and a belt and provided with a heat source suchas a halogen heater. Therefore, toner of the toner image transferredonto the sheet is fused and fixed with heat and pressure.

In addition, the MFP 200 according to the present exemplary embodimentis provided with a scanner unit 201 and an operation unit 204. Theoperation unit 204 is arranged on an upper face of the MFP 200. Theoperation unit 204 provides various interfaces that allow an operator toexecute various settings and operations on the MFP 200.

Various accompanying apparatuses can be attached to the MFP 200. In thepresent exemplary embodiment, a sheet processing apparatus is describedas an example of the accompanying apparatus.

A sheet processing apparatus 250 executes various processing on themedia on which images are formed by the printer unit 203 in order toacquire print products. Herein, the various processing include staplebinding processing in which a bundle of media conveyed to the sheetprocessing apparatus 250 is bound with a stapler at the end portionthereof. Further, the various processing also includes bookbinding inwhich a bundle of media conveyed to the sheet processing apparatus 250is bound with a stapler at the central portion thereof and folded alongthe stapler. In addition, the various processing includes staple-lessbinding in which a bundle of media conveyed to the sheet processingapparatus 250 is bound at the end portion thereof with pressure appliedfrom a toothed mark. Furthermore, the various processing includessheet-punching in which a hole is made at an end portion of mediaconveyed to the sheet processing apparatus 250.

The sheet processing apparatus 250 includes an inserter 251. Theinserter 251 has a function of inserting a medium stored in the inserter251 into the media conveyed from the printer unit 203 at a proper timingbased on the setting. The inserter 251 can insert the medium that doesnot require print processing into the printed media.

An output tray 252 constitutes a tray portion where the output documentsprocessed by the sheet processing apparatus 250 are discharged andstacked.

The MFP 200 includes a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk 209(hereinafter, also referred to as “HDD 209”) capable of storing data ofa plurality of jobs as processing targets. In the present exemplaryembodiment, although a hard disk is employed as a storage device, alarge volume non-volatile storage device of the similar sort can be alsoemployed instead of the hard disk.

The MFP 200 further includes a copy function by which the job datareceived from the scanner unit 201 provided in the MFP 200 is printed bythe printer unit 203 via the HDD 209. Further, the MFP 200 includes aprinting function by which the job data received from the clientapparatus via a network interface (I/F) 202 is printed by the printerunit 203 via the HDD 209. In other words, the MFP 200 is amultifunction-type apparatus that includes a plurality of functionsdescribed above.

In addition, the MFP 200 may be a printing apparatus capable ofexecuting color print processing or monochromatic print processing, aslong as various control processing described in the present exemplaryembodiment can be executed thereby.

The MFP 200 includes the scanner unit 201 for reading a document imageand processing the read image data. Further, the MFP 200 includes thenetwork I/F 202 for transmitting and receiving image data to/from adevice connected to the network 100. Further, the MFP 200 includes theHDD 209 capable of storing image data of a plurality of jobs as printingtargets which are received from any of the scanner unit 201 and thenetwork I/F 202.

Various kinds of management information that are persistently stored inand changed or managed by the MFP 200 are stored in the HDD 209.

Further, the MFP 200 includes the printer unit 203 for printing job dataon a printing medium which is a printing target stored in the HDD 209.Furthermore, the MFP 200 includes the operation unit 204 having adisplay unit as an example, which corresponds to a user interface unit.

A controller unit (also referred to as “central processing unit (CPU)”)205 comprehensively controls the processing and operations of variousunits included in the MFP 200. Various control programs necessary forthe present exemplary embodiment, which include a program that causesthe controller unit 205 to execute various kinds of processingillustrated in a flowchart in FIG. 17, are stored in a read only memory(ROM) 207.

Further, a display control program that causes a display unit of theoperation unit 204 to display various user interface screens(hereinafter, referred to as “UI screens”) including the UI screensillustrated in the appended drawings is stored in the ROM 207.

The controller unit 205 reads and executes the program stored in the ROM207 in order to cause the MFP 200 to execute various operationsdescribed in the present exemplary embodiment. For example, a portabledocument format file (PDF) printing function program is stored in theROM 207. This program causes the MFP 200 to execute an operation foranalyzing page description language (PDL) code data received from theexternal apparatus via the network I/F 202 and rasterizing the analyzedPDL code data into raster image data (i.e., bitmap image data).

The ROM 207 is a read-only memory that previously stores variousprograms such as programs relating to the boot sequence and fontinformation in addition to the above-described programs. Variousprograms stored in the ROM 207 will be described below in detail. Arandom access memory (RAM) 208 is a readable/writable memory that storesimage data transmitted from the scanner unit 201 or the network I/F 202,various programs, and setting information.

The HDD 209 is a large volume storage device that stores image datacompressed by a compression/rasterization unit 210. The HDD 209 canstore pieces of data such as print data of jobs regarded as processingtargets. The controller unit 205 controls the printer unit 203 to printthe job data via the HDD 209 as a processing target that is input by theinput unit such as the scanner unit 201 or the network I/F 202. Further,the controller unit 205 performs control to transmit the job data to theexternal apparatus via the network I/F 202. As described above, thecontroller unit 205 performs control to execute various outputprocessing of job data stored in the HDD 209 as a processing target.Further, the controller unit 205 reads and executes the program storedin the ROM 207 in order to realize a function of the file systemconstructed in the HDD 209, such as sharing the file with the externalapparatus or transmitting/receiving the file to/from the externalapparatus.

The compression/rasterization unit 210 executes compression anddecompression operations of the image data stored in the RAM 208 or theHDD 209 through various compression methods such as the Joint Bi-levelImage experts Group (JBIG) and the Joint Photographic Experts Group(JPEG). Through the above-described configuration, the controller unit205 which is an example of the control unit included in the printingsystem according to the present exemplary embodiment, also controls theoperation of the sheet processing apparatus 250.

A sheet processing apparatus 250 corresponds to the sheet processingapparatus 250 illustrated in FIG. 1. A media management unit 211 is amodule for managing the information relating to the type of mediaprocessible by the MFP 200.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the clientapparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment such as the PCs101, 102, or the mobile terminal 103 illustrated in FIG. 1.

In FIG. 3, a CPU 301 executes a program such as an operating system (OS)or a general application program stored in a program ROM of a ROM 303 orloaded on a RAM 302 from an HDD 311. Further, the ROM 303 includes afont ROM and a data ROM. The RAM 302 functions as a main memory or awork area of the CPU 301. A keyboard controller (KBC) 305 controlsinformation input through a keyboard 309 or a pointing device (notillustrated). A display controller 306 executes display control withrespect to a display unit 310. A disk controller (DKC) 307 controlsaccess to the HDD 311 that stores a boot program, various applications,and font data. A network controller (NC) 312 is connected to the network100 and executes processing for controlling the communication withanother device connected to the network 100. A bus 304 connects the CPU301, the RAM 302, the ROM 303, and various controllers to each other totransmit a data signal and a control signal.

Moreover, the mobile terminal 103 may include a touch panel controllerinstead of the KBC 305. Further, the mobile terminal 103 may include alarge volume storage device as an alternative to the HDD 311.Furthermore, an internal configuration of the NC 312 may vary dependingon whether the apparatus that includes the NC 312 is provided with awired LAN or a wireless LAN or both. However, the variation of theinternal configuration is concealed within the NC 312, and thus the NC312 is equally configured relative to other modules illustrated in FIG.3 to control the system.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of theprograms included in the PCs 101, 102, or the mobile terminal 103serving as the client apparatus.

A boot loader 401 is a program that is executed immediately after poweractivation of the PCs 101, 102, or the mobile terminal 103. This programincludes programs for executing various kinds of activation sequencenecessary for system activation.

An operating system 402 is a program for providing an executionenvironment of various programs that realizes the functions of the PCs101, 102, or the mobile terminal 103. The operating system 402 providesa function such as management of the resources or the memories of thePCs 101, 102, or the mobile terminal 103, that is, the ROM 303, the RAM302, and the HDD 311.

A file system 403 is a program that realizes various file managementfunctions such as management of various files stored in the HDD 311,transmission and reception of files to/from the external apparatus, andsharing of files with the external apparatus. The file system 403accesses a file system provided by the external apparatus connected tothe network 100 via the NC 312 and enables transmission, reception, andcopying of the file.

A network control program 404 is a program that is executed when data istransmitted or received to/from the device connected thereto via thenetwork 100. The network control program 404 is used when the filesystem 403 transmits a file as a printing target.

Other programs 405 include a group of programs other than theabove-described programs, although detailed description thereof will beomitted.

The above-described file system 403 or the network control program 404may be provided as a part of the operating system 402. However, even insuch a case, the operating system 402 includes merely the units that areequivalent to the functions of the above-described various programs asthe alternatives. In other words, as long as the client apparatusincludes the above-described functions, the present exemplary embodimentis naturally applicable regardless of whether the operating system 402includes the above-described various units as the functions of its own.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an external view of the operation unit204 included in the MFP 200. The operation unit 204 is configured of apanel 501 on which an operation screen described below is displayed anda hard key input unit 502. For example, the panel 501 may be atouch-panel display. The hard key input unit 502 includes various hardkeys including a start button 512. The user inputs an instruction bytouching a key displayed on the panel 501 or pressing various hard keysprovided on the hard key input unit 502. In addition, the panel 501 maybe a display which does not include a touch panel function. In such acase, a scroll key for selecting a key displayed on the panel 501 and anenter key for determining the selected key function may be provided onthe hard key input unit 502 in replacement of the touch-key inputfunction.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating programs of the MFP 200 according tothe present exemplary embodiment. These programs are stored in the ROM207 to be read and executed by the controller unit 205 of the MFP 200.

A boot loader 601 is a program that is executed immediately after poweractivation of the MFP 200. This program includes a program for executingvarious kinds of activation sequence necessary for system activation. Anoperating system 602 is a program designed to provide an executionenvironment of various programs that realizes the functions of the MFP200. The operating system 602 mainly provides a function for managingthe resources or the memories of the MFP 200 such as the ROM 207, theRAM 208, and the HDD 209, and a function for controlling basic input andoutput processes in respective units illustrated in FIG. 2.

A file system 603 is a program that realizes various file managementfunctions such as management of various files stored in the HDD 209,transmission and reception of various files to/from the externalapparatus, and sharing of various files with the external apparatus. Thefile system 603 is accessed from the file system provided by theexternal apparatus connected to the network 100 via the network I/F 202to make various operations such as transmission, reception, and copyingof the file executable. The file system 603 is a program that enablesthe external apparatus to create, copy, transmit, or receive a file forthe file system of the MFP 200.

A data transmission/reception program 604 executestransmission/reception processing in a case where an input/outputrequest of data is transmitted thereto via the network I/F 202.Specifically, the data transmission/reception program 604 includes aprotocol stack such as the Transmission Control Protocol/InternetProtocol (TCP/IP), and controls the communication of various dataexchanged with the external apparatus connected thereto via the network100. The communication processing executed thereby specializes in thecommunication processing of transmission/reception of data packets orcommunication processing with respect to the Hyper-Text TransferProtocol (HTTP) server, and does not include below-described analysisprocessing related to the content of received data. The analysisprocessing of data is executed by the controller unit 205 based on thecontent described in another program.

A job definition format (JDF) function program 605 is a program forcausing the controller unit 205 to execute a JDF printing functionaccording to an instruction from the network I/F 202 in a case where theMFP 200 receives JDF job data via the network I/F 202. The controllerunit 205 executes the JDF printing function to sequentially instructeach device to execute operations in an appropriate order based on theprocessing sequence and the processing condition described in the JDFfunction program 605 so that the JDF print processing is eventuallyexecuted. The sheet processing apparatus 250, the printer unit 203, theHDD 209, the compression/rasterization unit 210, and the RAM 208 areincluded in these devices. Further, the JDF function program 605 alsoincludes a program for causing the controller unit 205 to executeanalysis processing of JDF job data received via the network I/F 202,processing for determining whether an incorrect setting is included inthe JDF job data based on a result of the analysis processing, andsetting change processing for cancelling the incorrect setting.

A copying function program 606 is a program for causing the controllerunit 205 to execute a copying function according to an instruction inputto the operation unit 204 in a case where a user of the MFP 200 inputsthe instruction for executing the copy function to the operation unit204. The controller unit 205 executes the copying function tosequentially instruct each device to execute the operations in anappropriate order based on the processing sequence and the processingcondition described in the copying function program 606 so that thecopying processing is eventually executed. The scanner unit 201, theprinter unit 203, the sheet processing apparatus 250, the HDD 209, thecompression/rasterization unit 210, and the RAM 208 are included inthese devices.

A scanning function program 607 is a program for causing the controllerunit 205 to execute a scanning function according to an instructioninput to the operation unit 204 in a case where the user of the MFP 200inputs the instruction for executing the scanning function to theoperation unit 204. The controller unit 205 controls the modules such asthe scanner unit 201, the HDD 209, the compression/rasterization unit210, and the RAM 208 according to the processing sequence and theprocessing condition described in the scanning function program 607. Atthis time, the controller unit 205 sequentially instructs these devicesto execute the operations in an appropriate order, so that the scanningprocessing is executed eventually.

A PDL printing function program 608 is a program for causing thecontroller unit 205 to execute a PDL printing function in a case wherePDL data (i.e., print job data) is received by the MFP 200 via thenetwork I/F 202. The controller unit 205 executes the PDL printingfunction to sequentially instruct each device to execute the operationsin an appropriate order based on the processing sequence and theprocessing condition described in the PDL printing function program 608so that the PDL print processing is eventually executed. The sheetprocessing apparatus 250, the printer unit 203, the HDD 209, thecompression/rasterization unit 210, and the RAM 208 are included inthese devices.

A BOX function program 609 is a program for causing the controller unit205 to execute a BOX function according to an instruction input to theoperation unit 204 in a case where the user of the MFP 200 inputs theinstruction for executing the BOX function to the operation unit 204.The controller unit 205 executes the BOX function to sequentiallyinstruct each device to execute the operations in an appropriate orderbased on the processing sequence and the processing condition describedin the BOX function program 609, so that BOX processing is executed. Thescanner unit 201, the printer unit 203, the sheet processing apparatus250, the HDD 209, the compression/rasterization unit 210, and the RAM208 are included in these devices. Further, the controller unit 205 canexecute job data stored in the HDD 209 by changing a current settingthereof through the BOX function.

A UI function program 610 is a program for controlling the operationunit 204. The UI function program 610 identifies information inputthrough the operation unit 204 by the user of the MFP 200 to shift ascreen to an appropriate screen or transmit a processing request to thecontroller unit 205.

A media management program 611 is a program for executing a managementfunction relating to sheets usable by the MFP 200. The sheet-relatedinformation managed by the UI function program 610 is stored in the HDD209.

A job holding function program 612 is a program executed by thecontroller unit 205 in a case where the user of the MFP 200 inputs aninstruction for executing a job holding function to the operation unit204. The job holding function is a function for storing printing targetdata in the HDD 209 of the MFP 200 until the user inputs a printinginstruction, and printing that data according to the printinginstruction input by the user. The controller unit 205 executes the jobholding function to sequentially instruct each device to execute theoperations in an appropriate order based on the processing sequence andthe processing condition described in the job holding function program612, so that the print processing is executed through the job holdingfunction. The printer unit 203, the sheet processing apparatus 250, theHDD 209, the compression/rasterization unit 210, and the RAM 208 areincluded in these devices. The controller unit 205 can execute storedjob data by changing a setting currently set to that job data.

In addition, the MFP 200 does not have to include all of the functionprograms illustrated in FIG. 6, and may include only a part of theabove-described function programs or a function program other than theabove-described function programs.

A saved document storage region 613 serves as a storage region of savedjob data managed by the job holding function program 612. The job datareceived from the client apparatuses 101 to 103 or other externalapparatuses is a saving target and stored in the saved document storageregion 613 together with the print setting.

An Internal Hotfolder program 614 is a unique program included in theMFP 200 according to the present exemplary embodiment. The InternalHotfolder program 614 detects that the file system 603 has stored a fileprovided from the client apparatus 101, 102, or 103 connected to thenetwork 100. Then, in a case where the detected file is a file of aformat printable by the MFP 200, the Internal Hotfolder program 614executes the print job based on the previously specified printingcondition. The Internal Hotfolder program 614 enables the MFP 200 toreplace a file transmission operation executed by the externalapparatus, with a printing operation. In other words, although a programfor executing print processing has to be provided on the clientapparatus in the conventional technique, the program for executing printprocessing does not have to be provided on the client apparatus in thepresent exemplary embodiment. This is because the file can betransmitted to the file system of the MFP 200 if the client apparatusmerely includes a file system. Then, this file transmission operation isprocessed as the printing operation by the Internal Hotfolder program614. The file system having a sharing function is normally provided onthe recent operating system or the application execution environmentthereof. The processing executed through the Internal Hotfolder program614 will be described below in detail.

An empty region 615 refers to a region within the HDD 209 which does notbelong to any of the various programs or various regions describedabove.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a selection screen ofvarious function programs illustrated in FIG. 6 which are displayed onthe operation unit 204 by the controller unit 205. A setting button 701of the Internal Hotfolder program 614 is also arranged on the selectionscreen in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen 801 ofthe Internal Hotfolder program 614. The screen in FIG. 8 is displayedimmediately after the user touches and operates the setting button 701of the Internal Hotfolder program 614 in the selection screen in FIG. 7.Hereinafter, constituent elements of the setting screen in FIG. 8 willbe described individually.

A file hierarchy display region 802 shows information of a hierarchy inthe file system of the MFP 200 which is currently an operation target.The client apparatus such as the PCs 101, 102, or the mobile terminal103 connected thereto via the network 100 accesses the file system ofthe MFP 200 based on the above-described hierarchy information. Further,a hierarchy of the folder as a setting or operation target isillustrated in the setting screen in FIG. 8. In the example illustratedin FIG. 8, a hierarchy, “/share/folder/”, is selected as the operationtarget.

A file list 803 shows an entry on the file system placed on thehierarchy which is indicated in the file hierarchy display region 802.In other words, the entry on the file system arranged on the hierarchy“/share/folder/” is displayed thereon. The entry on the file system iseither a folder or a file. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, afolder 805, “tempFolder”, is arranged thereon. In addition, a region 804that displays “MOVE TO UPPER HIERARCHY” functions as a button that isoperated when the user moves the hierarchy from the hierarchy“/share/folder” to an upper hierarchy “/share”. If the region 804 istouched in a state illustrated in FIG. 8, control is performed such that“/share” is displayed on the file hierarchy display region 802. In otherwords, an operation target folder hierarchy is moved up by one.

Similarly, a region 805 that indicates “tempFolder” also functions as abutton, and a hierarchy, “/share/folder/tempFolder”, is specified as anoperation target hierarchy when the region 805 is touched. After theregion 805 is touched, the information displayed on the file hierarchydisplay region 802 is “/share/folder/tempFolder”. In other words, anoperation target folder hierarchy is moved down by one.

As described above, the file list 803 in FIG. 8 provides a function formoving the hierarchy up and down. In a case where an entry on the filesystem is not a folder, that is, a file is placed on the file list 803illustrated in FIG. 8, the hierarchy will not be moved even if the usertouches a region corresponding to that file. Further, in a case where apart of the entries cannot be displayed on the file list 803 in FIG. 8because a number of entries on the file system arranged on the hierarchy“/share/folder” is large, the user touches and operates a scroll button809. With this operation, the screen can be switched and the entriesthat cannot be displayed on the display region can be displayed.

A job status button 806 is a button for shifting a screen to astatus-check screen of the print job executed through the InternalHotfolder program 614.

A registration button 807 is a button for registering a folder on thehierarchy which is currently the operation target, as a monitoringtarget folder of the Internal Hotfolder program 614.

A cancel button 808 is a button for eliminating a folder on thehierarchy which is currently an operation target, from a monitoringtarget folder of the Internal Hotfolder program 614.

The registration button 807 and the cancel button 808 enable or disablethe button operations to prevent a meaningless operation such as dualregistration of a folder that has been already registered orcancellation of a folder that has not been registered. In the exampleillustrated in FIG. 8, the hierarchy “/share/folder” is not specified asa monitoring target of the Internal Hotfolder program 614. Accordingly,while the registration button 807 is enabled, the cancel button 808 isdisabled.

A button 811, “CREATE FOLDER HERE”, which is formed here is a button forcreating a new folder that is to be used as a hot folder on a hierarchywhich is currently the operation target. A button 810, “CREATE SET”, isa button for collectively creating a plurality of preset folders on ahierarchy which is currently the operation target. When the user touchesand operates the button 810, a plurality of hot folders is created whilea printing specification file defining a preset printing condition isarranged for each hot folder. Then, these folders are registered as themonitoring target folders of the Internal Hotfolder program 614. Whenthe MFP 200 undergoes installation, the above-described function enablesthe user to collectively create a plurality of folders in associationwith the printing specification file which describes the frequently-usedprinting condition, so that convenience of the user is improved. Anumber of preset folders or printing specification files that is to beassociated with the folders can be optionally set.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen that is to bedisplayed immediately after the user has touched and operated the CREATEFOLDER HERE button 811 on the screen illustrated in FIG. 8. FIG. 9 is adiagram illustrating a soft keyboard for inputting a name of a folderthat is newly created. In other words, the user inputs a name of afolder as a creation target to a folder name input region 901 by using asoft key 902. A folder having the input name is created when the usertouches and operates an OK button 903, whereas the screen is shifted tothe screen in FIG. 8 without creating any folder when the user touchesand operates a cancel button 904. In a case where the user touches andoperates the OK button 903 after shifting the screen from the screen inFIG. 8 to the screen in FIG. 9, a folder, “/share/folder/myfolder”, iscreated.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a selection screen forsetting a printing condition onto the created folder, which is displayedimmediately after the OK button 903 is touched and operated on thescreen illustrated in FIG. 9.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, a list of a plurality of items havingprinting specification names is displayed on a region 1001. Each of theitems on the list functions as a button. Control is performed such thatthe user can select a printing specification by touching and operatingthe item. In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, “A4/ONE-SIDED” isselected as the printing specification.

Further, in a case where the REGISTRATION button 807 is touched andoperated on the screen illustrated in FIG. 8, a folder selected in thatscreen is registered as a monitoring target of the internal Hotfolderprogram 614. Accordingly, when the REGISTRATION button 807 is touched,the soft keyboard screen for creating a folder illustrated in FIG. 9 isskipped such that the screen is directly shifted to the printingspecification setting screen illustrated in FIG. 10.

In a case where a CANCEL button 1002 is touched and operated on thescreen illustrated in FIG. 10, setting processing will be ended withoutsetting the printing specification onto the created folder. In otherwords, in such a case, the folder created or selected in FIG. 9 or 8will not be set as a monitoring target of the Internal Hotfolder program614. On the other hand, in a case where an OK button 1003 is touched andoperated, the folder created or selected in FIG. 9 or 8 is associatedwith the printing specification selected in FIG. 10 and set as themonitoring target of the Internal Hotfolder program 614. In other words,the folder “/share/folder/myfolder” is registered as the InternalHotfolder, and the printing specification “A4/ONE-SIDED” is associatedtherewith. Therefore, the client apparatus such as the PCs 101, 102, orthe mobile terminal 103 copies or transfers a file as a printing targetto the folder “/share/folder/myfolder” set public by the MFP 200.Transfer processing of the above file is executed through the filesystem 403 operating on the operating system 402 of the clientapparatus. In other words, a program that is operated when a file iscopied from the client apparatus to the MFP 200 is a versatile programoperating on the client apparatus, and the program is not a specialprogram for causing the MFP 200 to print a desired file. Only because aprinting target file can be transferred to the MFP 200 through the filesystem 403 which is a versatile program provided by each of theoperating systems, the above-described method has a beneficial effect onthe print processing executed by the MFP 200. Thus, a purpose ofproviding the Internal Hotfolder program 614 can be achieved asdescribed above.

When the printing target file has been transferred or copied to theInternal Hotfolder, the user may select a HOLD button 1004 in FIG. 10 tomake the MFP 200 execute processing for storing the printing target filein the saved document storage region 613 instead of executing the printprocessing. A holding function refers to a function of the job holdingfunction program 612 described in FIG. 6. In addition, depending onwhether the MFP 200 holds a job, there arises variation in behavior, forexample, a printed sheet product is output or the sheet is not outputalthough the processing is executed up to rasterization. However, in thebelow-described example, even in a case where the holding function isspecified, it is assumed to be included in the print processing in abroad sense.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen that is to bedisplayed immediately after the OK button 1003 is touched on the screenillustrated in FIG. 10. As illustrated in FIG. 11, at a position belowthe folder, “/share/folder/myfolder”, created on the screen in FIG. 9,three sub-folders are created automatically. The three folders are“IHF_completed” (printing completed folder 1104), “IHF_error” (errorfolder 1105), and “IHF_printing” (printing folder 1106).

The sub-folders 1104 to 1106 are automatically created by the InternalHotfolder program 614 when the Internal Hotfolder is successfullyregistered. The sub-folders 1104 to 1106 are controlled and managed bythe file system 603 as normal folders. However, the Internal Hotfolderprogram 614 identifies and uses these folders as special folders. Inother words, a copied or transferred printing target file is moved toany of these sub-folders arranged at a position below the InternalHotfolder in the course of print processing executed by the InternalHotfolder program 614. A name of each sub-folder represents a processingstatus of the printing target file processed by the Internal Hotfolderprogram 614 of the MFP 200 at that time. In other words, the clientapparatus such as the PCs 101, 102, or the mobile terminal 103 can checkthe printing status of the file as a printing target by monitoring thecontent of these sub-folders.

Therefore, even in the above operation only a function of the versatileprogram is used, that is, the entry of the folder set public by the MFP200 is checked through the file system 403 of the client apparatus. Evenso, a monitoring function of a print job status that has required aprogram specific to each client apparatus in the conventional techniquecan be realized with only a function of the versatile program.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of a filebrowser that is a part of the function of the file system 403 includedin the client apparatus such as the PCs 101, 102, or the mobile terminal103 as a standard function. In addition to the function for displayingthe content of own file system of the client apparatus 101, 102, or 103,the file browser also includes a function for displaying the content ofthe file systems of other network devices shared via the network 100.The content of the file system is displayed on a region 1204. Thecontent of the file system of the external apparatus connected theretovia the network 100 is displayed on a region 1203. Herein, a networkaddress “172.24.123.123” is set to the MFP 200. In other words, theabove example illustrates a state where the Internal Hotfoldersillustrated in FIGS. 8 to 11, which are set by the MFP 200 connected tothe client apparatus 101, 102, or 103 via the network 100, are displayedby the client apparatus 101, 102, or 103. As illustrated in FIG. 12,folders corresponding to the folders 1104, 1105, and 1106 illustrated inFIG. 11 are displayed in a region 1202. Further, a file 1204 named“template.jdf” exists in the region 1202. This file corresponds to theprinting specification file illustrated in FIG. 10 which stores thecontent of the printing specification associated with the InternalHotfolder. In the present exemplary embodiment, the printingspecification file in which the printing specification is described in aJDF format will be shown as an example. The JDF format is described in atext format.

The file named “template.jdf” is not displayed on the screen illustratedin FIG. 11. On the other hand, this file is displayed on the screen inFIG. 12. This is because the Internal Hotfolder program 614 according tothe present exemplary embodiment requests only a function of a versatilefile system from the client apparatus. In other words, the screenillustrated in FIG. 11 is a part of the Internal Hotfolder program 614operating on the MFP 200. Accordingly, it is not always necessary todisplay a file that is to be associated therewith. Because it is ratherpossible that the operation may become complicated, the printingspecification file is not displayed intentionally. On the other hand, ifthe user uses a function of the file system to display the content ofthe Internal Hotfolder in the client apparatus, as illustrated in FIG.12, the user can check the printing specification file, similar to thefolders. Furthermore, the user can edit, delete, and add the content ofthe printing specification file by using the file browser of the clientapparatus. Therefore, once the Internal Hotfolder is created by theoptional name in association with an optional printing specification,the user can edit the printing specification file in an optional manner.

When the content of the printing specification file is edited, deleted,or added, the user may use a command or an application such as a texteditor provided for use in a versatile manner in the operating systemoperating on the client apparatus or in the application executionenvironment thereof.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, the print setting can bealso made by a versatile text editing unit operating on a versatile filesystem and each client apparatus. On the other hand, in the conventionaltechnique, the printing specification has been set or changed by aprinter driver or a Hotfolder management application. Accordingly, inthe conventional technique, the printing specification has been editedby a non-versatile program provided for each client apparatus. Thepresent exemplary embodiment achieves such an effect that the printingspecification can be set or changed by only a versatile method.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the content of the file“template.jdf” illustrated in FIG. 12 in which the printingspecification is defined. When the operation is executed on the screenin FIG. 10, the printing specification “A4/ONE-SIDED” is assigned to afolder “/share/folder/myfolder”. The printing specification in the JDFformat illustrated in FIG. 13 includes the content of the setting inwhich a sheet size and a printing face are respectively specified as“A4” and “one sided”.

As described with respect to FIG. 12, this file can be changed by anediting program such as a versatile-use text editor operating on theclient apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to apply an optional settingto the created Internal Hotfolder in the JDF format.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen that isdisplayed when a printing target file is copied to a predeterminedInternal Hotfolder in the MFP 200 via the file browser in the clientapparatus. A file 1401 named “Sample.pdf” in FIG. 14 is a printingtarget file which the user of the client apparatus instructs the MFP 200to print by using the method according to the present exemplaryembodiment. However, as described above, because the user uses the filecopying function or the file transfer function provided by the filesystem, the user can provide a printing instruction without relying onthe non-versatile program specific to the client apparatus. In otherwords, the user can give a printing instruction by simply executing adrag-and-drop operation or a copy-and-paste operation on the clientapparatus.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of theoperation unit 204 of the MFP 200 which is displayed when the operationillustrated in FIG. 14 has been executed by the client apparatus. Astatus line is displayed on a region 1501. In other words, an operationstatus of the MFP 200 is displayed thereon in a simplified manner. Inthe example illustrated in FIG. 15, in order to notify the user that theprint processing is being executed by the MFP 200, a message “PRINTING .. . ” is displayed, which indicates that the MFP 200 prints the file,“Sample.pdf”, illustrated in FIG. 14 by simply executing file copyingprocessing through the method provided by the Internal Hotfolder program614 according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a hierarchy diagram illustrating a hierarchy of the filesystem in the MFP 200 after a series of operations described above hasbeen executed. An icon 1601 indicates that an entry on the file systemarranged on the corresponding hierarchy is a folder. On the other hand,an icon 1603 indicates that an entry on the file system arranged on thecorresponding hierarchy is a file.

A folder, “share”, is arranged as a lower folder of a root folder inFIG. 16. This folder corresponds to a shared folder. Then, the InternalHotfolder, “share/folder/myfolder”, created through the processingdescribed in FIGS. 8 to 11 can be confirmed (an icon 1609). Further, thefolders illustrated in FIG. 11, which are used by the Internal Hotfolderprogram 614 to check the status of print processing, can be confirmed(icons 1606, 1607, and 1608).

Further, the printing specification file, “template.jdf”, that isassociated with the Internal Hotfolder in FIG. 8 can be confirmed by anicon 1603. Furthermore, it is possible to confirm that the file 1401,“Sample.pdf”, illustrated in the example in FIG. 14 is moved to aposition below the folder, “IHF_completed”, (printing completed folder1607) after the print processing is executed according to an instructionto the file 1401. The above moving processing of the folder is executedby the Internal Hotfolder program 614 in the MFP 200 along with theprogress of the print processing. In a case where the print processinghas eventually succeeded, the file is moved to a position below thefolder IHF_completed” (printing completed file 1607). On the other hand,in a case where the print processing has failed for some reason, thefile is moved to a position below the folder “IHF_error” (error folder1606). While the print processing is in the progress, the file is movedto a position below the folder “IHF_printing” (printing folder 1608).When any of these folders is checked through a file browser of theclient apparatus provided for a versatile use, a status of the printprocessing of the print target file can be checked through only thefunction of the file system.

Further, as described above, the Internal Hotfolder program 614 enablesthe user to construct a printing system by using only a versatilefunction of the file system. From a standpoint of the file system, afolder set as the Internal Hotfolder is regarded as a folder in a truesense. In other words, it is not necessary for the client apparatus toexecute any program specific thereto. For example, in FIG. 16, a folder,“bbb” (icon 1605), is arranged at a position below the folder,“myfolder” (icon 1607). The user can easily create the above folder byusing the file browser as illustrated in FIG. 12. Alternatively, theuser can create the folder by executing a folder creation command via aterminal application. Further, for example, in FIG. 16, the user cancheck a folder, “aaa” (icon 1604), existing in a position below thefolder “IHF_error” (error folder 1606). Similarly, the user can easilycreate this folder by using the file browser.

Although the folders “aaa” and “bbb” (icons 1604 and 1605) are createdand positioned below the Internal Hotfolder, the Internal Hotfolderprogram 614 does not require the existence of these folders. However,from a standpoint of the client apparatus, the Internal Hotfolder,“/share/folder/myfolder”, is actually a folder in the versatile filesystem. Accordingly, the client apparatus cannot make or does not haveto make a distinction between the folder treated as the InternalHotfolder and the folder that is not treated as the Internal Hotfolder.Accordingly, it is possible to take the folder configuration asillustrated in FIG. 16.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating print processing executed by the MFP200. The processing illustrated in FIG. 17 is executed when thecontroller unit 205 comprehensively executes the programs illustrated inFIG. 6.

In step S1701, the controller unit 205 executes detection processing forreceiving data from the client apparatus 101, 102, or 103, which startsthe processing illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 17.

In step S1702, the controller unit 205 analyzes the data transmittedfrom the client apparatus 101, 102 or 103 via the network 100 anddetermines whether the client apparatus has given an instruct to the MFP200 to store the file in a shared folder.

In a case where a result of the determination made in step S1702 is true(YES in step S1702), the processing proceeds to step S1703. On the otherhand, in a case where a result of the determination made in step S1702is false (NO in step S1702), the processing proceeds to step S1718 andsubsequent steps.

In step S1718, the controller unit 205 determines whether the datareceived in step S1701 is a PDL print job. In a case where the receiveddata is determined to be the PDL print job (YES in step S1718), theprocessing proceeds to step S1719. In step S1719, the controller unit205 executes the received PDL print job. The controller unit 205executes the PDL printing function program 608 illustrated in FIG. 6 toperform the PDL print job in step S1719. After the processing of the PDLprint job is completed in step S1719, the processing flow illustrated inFIG. 17 is ended.

However, in a case where the data received in step S1701 is determinedto be the data other than the PDL print job (NO in step S1718), theprocessing proceeds to step S1720. In step S1720, the controller unit205 further executes determination processing.

In step S1720, the controller unit 205 determines whether the datareceived in step S1701 is a JDF print job. In a case where the receiveddata is determined to be the JDF print job (YES in step S1720), theprocessing proceeds to step S1721. In step S1721, the controller unit205 executes the received JDF print job. The controller unit 205executes the JDF function program 605 illustrated in FIG. 6 to performthe JDF print job in step S1721. After the processing of the JDF printjob is completed in step S1721, the processing flow illustrated in FIG.17 is ended.

After the determination in step S1720, in a case where the data receivedin step S1701 is determined to be the data other than the JDF print job(NO in step S1720), the processing proceeds to step S1722. In stepS1722, the controller unit 205 executes predetermined processing whichdoes not belong to any of the processing for copying a file to thefolder, the processing for executing the PDL print job, and theprocessing for executing JDF print job, and ends the processing flowillustrated in FIG. 17. No matter what processing is executed in stepS1722, the processing is not important in describing the effect of thepresent exemplary embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof willbe omitted.

In step S1704, the controller unit 205 determines whether a destinationof the file copied to the shared folder of the MFP 200 from the clientapparatus in step S1703 is the Internal Hotfolder. As to whether a copydestination folder is the Internal Hotfolder or not can be determineddepending on whether the MFP 200 has executed registration processing ofthe folder according to the method described in FIGS. 8 to 11.

As a result of the determination in step S1704, if the copy destinationfolder is determined to be the Internal Hotfolder (YES in step S1704),the processing proceeds to step S1705 and subsequent steps. On the otherhand, in a case where the copy destination folder is determined to bethe folder other than the Internal Hotfolder (NO in step S1704), thefile is merely copied to a public folder. Accordingly, it is notnecessary to execute the processing in step S1705 and subsequent stepsspecific to the Internal Hotfolder, and thus the processing illustratedin the flowchart is ended.

In step S1705, the controller unit 205 determines whether the printingspecification file is placed within the Internal Hotfolder on which thecopying processing has been executed in the preceding steps. In theInternal Hotfolder program 614 according to the present exemplaryembodiment, as described above with reference to FIGS. 12 to 15, printprocessing can be achieved based on only a method of the file systemwithout using any specific method. At this time, as illustrated in FIG.12 as an example, a printing specification that is to be applied to theprint processing is also placed within the Internal Hotfolder as a file.In the determination processing In step S1705, if it is determined thatthe printing specification file is placed within the copy destinationInternal Hotfolder as expected (YES in step S1705), a condition forexecuting the normal print processing is satisfied. Therefore, theprocessing proceeds to step S1706 and the subsequent steps. On the otherhand, in step S1705, if it is determined that the printing specificationfile is not placed within the copy destination Internal Hotfolder asexpected (NO in step S1705), a condition for executing the normal printprocessing is not satisfied. For example, this may happen when theprinting specification file is deleted via the file browser of theclient apparatus. In such a case, the processing proceeds to step S1717.In step S1717, the controller unit 205 copies the file copied to theInternal Hotfolder to the IHF_error folder (error folder). Then, thecontroller unit 205 ends the job as an error and ends the printprocessing executed by the Internal Hotfolder program 614.

In step S1706, the controller unit 205 determines whether the filecopied to the Internal Hotfolder is a file of a format printable anddirectly supportable by the MFP 200.

After the determination in step S1706, in a case where the file isdetermined to be the print data of a format printable and directlysupported by the MFP 200 (YES in step S1706), the processing proceeds tostep S1709. On the other hand, after the determination in step S1706, ifthe file is determined to be the print data of a format printable butnot directly supported by the MFP 200 (NO in step S1706), the processingproceeds to step S1707.

An example of the print data of a format printable but not directlysupported by the MFP 200 will be described below. For example, data of aformat specific to applications of word processors or spreadsheetsoperating on the client apparatus is the above-described data. Theseapplications are in widespread use and versions or variations thereofhave become diversified. Further, many of these applications areprovided in the formats (predetermined formats) uniquely determined bythe application vendors. Accordingly, in a case where print processingof data in such a format is executed, in general, the application isactivated on the client apparatus to use a function of a printer driverprovided by that application. Obviously, providing a configuration thatenables the MFP 200 to print data of a format specific to theapplication of a word processor or a spreadsheet is extremely difficultif not impossible because the above-described applications exist inlarge numbers. Accordingly, it is difficult to print data in such aformat through the method of the Internal Hotfolder. Therefore, by usingthe conversion server 106 illustrated in FIG. 1, even if the MFP 200does not directly support the above-described data in theapplication-specific format, can execute the print processing by makinga system having a conversion function serve as the conversion unit. TheMFP 200 leaves only the conversion unit to the system having aconversion function. The above-described data format conversion servermay be provided by the application vendor of data as a conversiontarget, or may be provided by another vendor. A service for convertingdata of a format specific to the application vendor, known as “cloudconversion service”, is becoming widespread. Accordingly, if thefunction of the cloud conversion service can be utilized in the printingsystem, it is possible for the MFP 200 to print data of a format that isnot directly supported thereby. In other words, print processing can beexecuted if the flowchart of the print processing using the InternalHotfolder includes determination processing executed in step S1706, datatransmission processing and data conversion request processing withrespect to the cloud conversion server executed in step S1707, andacquisition processing of the converted file in step S1708. Because thefile is converted into a file in a predetermined format directlysupported by the MFP 200, the processing subsequent to the processing instep S1708 is the same as the processing that is to be executed when adetermination result is “true” in step S1706.

In addition, in a case where the file stored in the Internal Hotfolderis a file that is not printable either by the MFP 200 (NO in step S1706)or the conversion server 106, the processing may proceed to step S1717.

In step S1709, the printing target file (including the converted fileacquired from the conversion server 106) and the printing specificationfile are combined. For example, the printing specification file isprovided in the JDF file format as illustrated in FIG. 13. The printingspecification file and the printing target file are combined, so thatthe MFP 200 can internally execute the file as a print job. In otherwords, the Internal Hotfolder program 614 internally generates a printjob by using a JDF file associated with the Internal Hotfolder as aprinting specification and the file copied to the Internal Hotfolder asa printing target file.

In step S1710, processing of the print job data created in step S1709 isstarted. The processing in step S1710 corresponds to the processing inwhich the data created in step S1709 is executed by the JDF functionprogram 605 illustrated in FIG. 6.

Next, the Internal Hotfolder program 614 determines whether printing isexecutable by the MFP 200. Based on the determination that the printingis executable, in step S1711, the printing target file is moved to aposition below the folder “IHF_printing” (printing folder 1106) from aposition just below the Internal Hotfolder.

In other words, if the operator checks the printing target file via thefile browser (in FIG. 12) of the client apparatus after the processingis executed in step S1711, it is found that the printing target file ismoved to a position below the folder “IHF_printing” (printing folder1106) from a position just below the Internal Hotfolder. With thisconfiguration, the operator can confirm through a versatile function ofthe file system that the print processing is started with respect to thefile stored in the Internal Hotfolder.

The processing in steps S1712 to S1714 is actual print processinginternally executed by the JDF function program 605 of the MFP 200. TheInternal Hotfolder program 614 simply waits until the JDF functionprogram 605 ends the print processing because actual data processing andjob execution processing are executed by the JDF function program 605.

In step S1715, the controller unit 205 executes determination processingwith respect to a processing result acquired in steps S1712 to S1714which is processed by the JDF function program 605. If it is determinedthat a print product has been correctly output through the JDF functionprogram 605 (YES in step S1715), the processing proceeds to step S1716.On the other hand, if it is determined that a print product has not beencorrectly output through the JDF function program 605 and printing hasfailed (NO in step S1715), the processing proceeds to step S1717.

The processing in step S1716 is executed through a file browseroperating on the client apparatus in a case where the print processingof the printing target file arranged on the Internal Hotfolder of theMFP 200 is correctly executed. As the printing target file is correctlyoutput, the printing target file is moved to a position below the folder“IHF_completed” (printing completed folder 1104).

The processing in step S1717 is executed through a file browseroperating on the client apparatus in a case where the print processingof the printing target file arranged on the Internal Hotfolder of theMFP 200 is not correctly executed. Because the printing target file isnot output correctly and thus printing thereof has failed, the printingtarget file is moved to a position below the folder, “IHF_error”, (errorfolder 1105).

The operator can check the printing status of the printing target fileby checking the status folder to which the printing target file has beenmoved, via the file browser of the client apparatus. At this time, thefile browser provided for the versatile use is used. Accordingly, arestriction due to the operating system operating on the clientapparatus does not have to be imposed on the operation for checking theprinting status, and thus the operator can check the status by usingonly the versatile method.

After the file has moved to the corresponding folder in step S1715 orS1716, the print processing by the Internal Hotfolder program 614illustrated in the flowchart is ended.

Hereinafter, a second exemplary embodiment will be described. Accordingto the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 17, print processing of the nextfile will not be started until the output processing of the printingtarget file placed within the Internal Hotfolder is ended. However, itis possible to provide a configuration in which the monitoringprocessing of the printing target file and the actual print processingby the JDF function program 605 are processed in parallel. In order toprovide the above-described configuration, the present exemplaryembodiment includes a method for managing the maximum number of jobsthat are internally generated in the MFP 200 through the internal jobgeneration processing in steps S1708 and S1709. Specifically, in a casewhere the number of internally-generated jobs has reached a thresholdvalue, job generation processing of the subsequent file is suppressed.The job generation processing thereof is restarted when the precedingoutput processing is completed. The above method is provided because aqueue of print jobs internally storable in the MFP 200 has limitation innumbers. In other words, for example, the printing target files in hugenumbers of several millions may be collectively selected and copied tothe Internal Hotfolder on a client apparatus side. As it is not assumedto store the queue of print jobs in such huge numbers in the MFP 200,there is a risk that the queue may overflow. In order to prevent theabove-described problem from occurring, the Internal Hotfolder program614 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes theabove-described method for controlling the processing flow based on themaximum number.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, in the first exemplary embodiment, theprinting specification file (icon 1204) is placed on the file system asone of the files. In a third exemplary embodiment, the printingspecification file associated with the folder is concealed by theInternal Hotfolder program 614 instead of being arranged on the filesystem. The association information itself is managed by the InternalHotfolder program 614 along with the operation illustrated in FIGS. 8 to11. However, the present exemplary embodiment is different in that theprinting specification file is managed by the Internal Hotfolder program614 itself instead of being arranged on the file system.

The above-described exemplary embodiment is employed to prevent thebelow-described problem. In a case where the printing specification fileis arranged on a shared folder of the file system, the printingspecification file may be deleted or moved to another folder by a userof the client apparatus accessible to that shared folder. If theprinting specification file is deleted or moved as described above,there is a risk that the print processing cannot be executed because theactual printing specification file does not exist even though theassociation information exists therein.

According to the present exemplary embodiment in which the printingspecification file is not directly arranged on the file system, it ispossible to prevent the above-described problem from occurring. However,in a case where the above-described configuration is employed, theconvenience in the first exemplary embodiment will be lost in which theuser can change the printing specification through a program such as atext editor for the versatile use.

A fourth exemplary embodiment combines the third exemplary embodimentwith the first or the second exemplary embodiment. In other words, foreach of the Internal Hotfolders, at the time of registration, the usercan select whether to directly arrange the printing specification fileon the file system or to make the Internal Hotfolder program 614internally execute association management. With this configuration, auser is allowed to edit the printing specification file while theprinting specification file is prevented from being operated withrespect to a folder that may possibly be operated by mistake. By givinga choice of operation types to the user who executes system settings,although there is a risk of erroneous operations, it is possible toprovide convenience of the editable function to the user.

In addition, the file system may also provide a function of enabling theuser to set an access right for each folder. If such a function isusable, convenience of the user can be further improved. For example, ina case where the user creates a folder, “public”, and allows a mobileterminal 103 brought from the outside of the network 100 to print theprint data literally as a public folder, the printing specification isassociated therewith as an internal operation. On the other hand, theuser may create a folder, “private”, and allow only a known clientapparatus directly connected to the network 100, to access the “private”folder while the printing specification is set thereto by arranging aprinting specification file. The present exemplary embodiment enablesthe user to execute both of the above-described operations based on thesetting of access rights of the folders included in the file system.Even in the above-described configuration, the client apparatus does nothave to employ a specific program to execute the above-describedoperations.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

Embodiment(s) of the present invention can also be realized by acomputer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computerexecutable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on astorage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/orthat includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or moreof the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by thecomputer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out andexecuting the computer executable instructions from the storage mediumto perform the functions of one or more of the above-describedembodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). Thecomputer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processingunit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network ofseparate computers or separate processors to read out and execute thecomputer executable instructions. The computer executable instructionsmay be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or thestorage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or moreof a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM),a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as acompact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™),a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an imageforming unit configured to form an image on a sheet; a display unitconfigured to display information; a storage unit configured to storedata, the storage unit being configured to provide a plurality offolders being accessible from an external apparatus; and at least onecontroller configured to function as: a unit configured to cause thedisplay unit to display a print setting screen on which a print settingto be associated with a folder specified from among the plurality offolders is able to be specified; a unit configured to associate a printsetting file with the specified folder on a basis of a result of thespecification performed on the print setting screen; and a unitconfigured to obtain a file requested to be stored into the specifiedfolder from the external apparatus, and cause the image forming unit toperform print processing based on the file by using the print settingfile.
 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theat least one controller is further configured to function as a unitconfigured to accept change of a print setting of the print settingfile.
 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thespecified folder is a shared folder.
 4. The image forming apparatusaccording to claim 3, wherein the shared folder is accessed from aplurality of external apparatuses by using a file-sharing protocol. 5.The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein thefile-sharing protocol is a Server Message Block (SMB) protocol or aWeb-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning (WebDAV) protocol.
 6. Theimage forming apparatus according to 1, wherein the print setting fileis stored in the specified folder.
 7. The image forming apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein a format of the print setting file is ajob definition format (JDF).
 8. The image forming apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the at least one controller is further configured tofunction as a unit configured to accept cancellation of the associationof the print setting file with the specified folder.
 9. The imageforming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least onecontroller is further configured to function as a unit configured tocause the display unit to display a folder selection screen on which afolder is able to be selected from among the plurality of folders;wherein the specified folder is the folder selected on the folderselection screen.
 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the at least one controller is further configured to function asa unit configured to cause the display unit to display a folderselection screen on which a folder is able to be selected from among theplurality of folders; wherein the specified folder is a folder newlycreated in the folder selected on the folder selection screen.
 11. Theimage forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a printsetting related to staple processing is able to be specified on theprint setting screen.
 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim1, wherein at least a print setting related to a double-sided printingis able to be specified on the print setting screen.
 13. An imageforming method using an image forming apparatus having an image formingunit configured to form an image on a sheet, a display unit configuredto display information, and a storage unit configured to store data, thestorage unit being configured to provide a plurality of folders beingaccessible from an external apparatus, comprising: causing the displayunit to display a print setting screen on which a print setting to beassociated with a folder specified from among the plurality of foldersis able to be specified; associating a print setting file with thespecified folder on a basis of a result of the specification performedon the print setting screen; and obtaining a file requested to be storedinto the specified folder from the external apparatus, and causing theimage forming unit to perform print processing based on the file byusing the print setting file.
 14. An image forming apparatus comprising:an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet; a displayunit configured to display information; a storage unit configured tostore data, the storage unit being configured to provide a plurality offolders being accessible from an external apparatus; and at least onecontroller configured to function as: a unit configured to cause thedisplay unit to display a print setting screen on which a print settingto be associated with a folder specified from among the plurality offolders is able to be specified; a unit configured to associate a printsetting file with the specified folder on a basis of a result of thespecification performed on the print setting screen; and a unitconfigured to obtain a file requested to be stored into the specifiedfolder from the external folder, register a print job based on the fileby using the print setting file, and cause the image forming unit toperform print processing based on the print job in accordance with aprint instruction given by a user.
 15. An image forming apparatuscomprising: an image forming unit configured to form an image on asheet; a display unit configured to display information; a storage unitconfigured to store data, the storage unit being configured to provideat least one folder being accessible from an external apparatus; and atleast one controller configured to function as: a unit configured tocause the display unit to display a print setting screen on which aprint setting to be associated with the folder; a unit configured toassociate a print setting file with the folder on a basis of a result ofthe specification performed on the print setting screen; and a unitconfigured to obtain a file stored into the folder from the externalapparatus, and cause the image forming unit to perform unit processingbased on the file by using the print setting file.
 16. The image formingapparatus according to claim 15, wherein the at least one controller isfurther configured to function as a unit configured to accept change ofa print setting of the print setting file.
 17. The image formingapparatus according to claim 15, wherein the folder is a shared folder.18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, wherein theshared folder is accessed from a plurality of external apparatuses byusing a file-sharing protocol.
 19. The image forming apparatus accordingto 15, wherein the print setting file is stored in the folder.
 20. Theimage forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein a format of theprint setting file is a job definition format (JDF).